Comic Book Preview: 5/15/13 – Vulgar Rump Display

If beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, then every comic cover is rainbows and gumdrops. Unfortunately there are some covers that can be singled out as better, best and god awful. We should know, we single them out every Monday as we review the full list of comics to be released this week.

WTF? Category

Where we don’t understand, are insulted by or would rather stab our eyes with acid pops than look at these covers for various reasons.

Supergirl #20

Emanuela Lupacchino

Dave: Hey Supergirl, stop looking up at us and support your fellow girl of super. She’s gonna break her spine ’cause you are all cranky pants.

Brendan: All in all, this cover lands in the “pretty tame, pretty lame” category for DC. In earnest, I don’t know why there are two Supergirls in the same realm, but the concept isn’t very jarring. I must agree that if you are even in this position, don’t let your doppelganger’s spine bend like that. Shit ain’t healthy.

Grimm Fairy Tales Madness Of Wonderland #4

Mike Lilly

Brendan:Ok, Zenescope, reel it in, will ya? We get you love ‘dem booties but at least pick a classier time to display the rump. If you can give me one reasonable instance where this situation would be 1) normal, 2) warranted, and 3) sexy then I will sit down and shut up. Otherwise please use some common sense when penciling your cartoon strippers.

Dave: I think this cover works because she’s going to take it in the rear…wait what?!

Brendan’s Honorable Mentions

Shadow #13

Alex Ross

Brendan: When was the last time we had a reflection cover? I’ve missed them so. All in all Mr. Ross does his thang with heavenly lighting and visceral shadows. The subject material is pretty straightforward but you must admit that it’s well done.

Dave: We had a reflection-in-blood cover in our WTF section recently. Some of the best covers make you think about things and this is one of them. Why is the nun praying with blood on her hands, which is turning into The Shadow? Why is she glowing? Why, why, why…all questions to be answered if you purchase this book!

Dream Merchant #1

Konstantin Novosadov

Brendan: I originally picked this one for the WTF category but upon further viewing I came to really enjoy it. The color differences are jarring but the pencils are pretty sweet. I think the trippy, other-worldly themes at play here are very good for the subject material that the title insinuates.

Dave: What the hell is he holding, a pillow? What is going on with his left hand? I like the colors too, but WTF is this cover?

Dave’s Honorable Mentions

X-Factor #256

David Yardin

Dave: What a clever way to get a reaction from the teammates of a character who is close to death. On top of all that, Yardin does a bang-up job with the latex costume and its tightness, yet it still has some give and isn’t as exploitive as it could be.

Brendan: I do enjoy the outline concept to include the ensemble cast on this very solitary cover. The pose is a bit Jesus-y for me but hey, if you’re going with a sacrifice theme you should go big or go home, right?

Conan the Barbarian #16

Massimo Carnevale

Dave: Contrasting top and bottom helps showcase the trippy nature of the story and dare I say Conan’s come hither grasp of his lady and entire face screams, “I’m in love, I trust you, let’s do this!” This’d do well as an anti-drug ad, methinks.

Brendan: This would have been my top pick but DAAAAAAAVE had to steal it from me. The colors, the contrast and the characters are so gorgeous that I can’t stop staring. This ain’t no cover, son. This is art.

Dave’s Cover of the Week

Batwoman #20

J.H. Williams, III

Dave: J.H. Williams, III for the win, am I right?! Honestly, I have no words. Do yourself a favor and just ogle this for a full three minutes; use a stopwatch, you deserve it.

Brendan: This is a damned fine piece by Williams. I adore the way the red cape bleeds into the cityscape as well as the use of negative space to outline Batwoman’s hair and cape. The flow of this cover is absolutely perfect. Other artists, take note.

Brendan’s Cover of the Week

Doomsday.1 #1

John Byrne

Brendan: The cliché way to describe this cover would be “red hot”, but damn if it isn’t appropriate. The burning city has this unique and authentic quality that really draws you in. The silhouettes backed by splatters of red and black really maintain the sense of heat. I think it is beautiful and truly intriguing.

Dave: I’ll second the intriguing conceptual nature of this cover, but I’m not sold on the figures and what their deal is. I love the use of neon yellow and burning buildings though. Sign me up.

Comics Being Released This Week

This is a cleaned up list via ComicList.com. Comic availability subject to change.